Snowshed Pond dam
Snowshed Pond
Snowshed Pond, also known as Sherburne Corp. Site No. 1, is a privately owned water resource located in Killington, Vermont. Built in 1970 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a structural height of 28 feet, with a length of 610 feet. With a storage capacity of 128 acre-feet and a surface area of 9 acres, this dam serves a primary purpose of 'Other', reflecting its unique role in managing water resources in the area.
The dam is regulated by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and is subject to regular inspections, with the last assessment conducted in July 2015. It has been rated as having a significant hazard potential but is currently in fair condition, based on a 2019 assessment. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, and it has a drainage area of 0.16 square miles. Despite its age, Snowshed Pond continues to play a crucial role in water management in the region, with a risk assessment indicating a moderate level of risk associated with its operation.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Snowshed Pond presents an interesting case study of a privately owned dam in Vermont that is subject to state regulations and inspections. Its design and construction by the USDA NRCS showcase the efforts to manage water resources effectively, while its storage capacity and hazard potential highlight the importance of maintaining infrastructure for flood control and water supply purposes. As climate change impacts water resources, dams like Snowshed Pond will play a crucial role in adapting to shifting hydrological patterns and ensuring sustainable water management practices in the future.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Snowshed Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ottauquechee River Near West Bridgewater | 51 cfs | → |
| Otter Creek At Center Rutland | 643 cfs | → |
| White River At West Hartford | 1,260 cfs | → |
| Ottauquechee River At North Hartland | 419 cfs | → |
| Ayers Brook At Randolph | 54 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At West Lebanon | 7,840 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Snowshed Pond.
Boat launches
- Chittenden Dam Access Road Chittenden
- Vt 100 Plymouth
- Fishing Access Road Ludlow
- Sanders Road Bethel
- Sudbury
- Willowbrook Road Sudbury
Campgrounds
- Gifford Woods State Park
- Calvin Coolidge State Park
- Silver Lake State Park
- Forest Campsite With Stream & Fire Ring
- Chittenden Brook
- Chittenden Brook Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Woodstock, Vt
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
- South Wallington To Emerald Lake
- End Of Fs Road 243 To Neshobe River
- Confluence With Otter Creek To Ten Kilns Brook
- Headwaters To Crossing Of Route 100 Near Route 155
More reservoirs
Track Snowshed Pond in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Snowshed Pond
Where does the data for Snowshed Pond come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Significant hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Snowshed Pond.